How to set up in business as an IT contractor
Few who decide to become IT contractors live to regret it thanks to the greater financial and personal freedom they enjoy. Is it the life for you?
News & Insights
The latest news, features and viewpoints from the small business world. If you have a good SME news story, please email us.
Top driver for becoming self-employed is the desire to “be my own boss.”
The biggest motivator for people to go it alone is the desire to be their own boss. We look at why now – in 2024 – is a great time to start a new business.
79% of women self-fund their start-up businesses
A new report by Small Business Britain highlights some major obstacles female entrepreneurs face, including access to funding and a lack of financial skills and confidence. The report, Female Entrepreneurship: Moving Forward, delves into the challenges women business owners face and explores ways to enhance entrepreneurial growth and inclusion in the UK. Almost 80% of … Read more
Small firms responsible for most tax evasion in the UK according to NAO report
A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that the UK’s small businesses are responsible for the ‘vast majority’ of tax evasion. In fact, of the £5.5bn tax lost due to evasion, an astonishing 81% is said to be caused by small firms. The report – Tackling tax evasion in high street and … Read more
55% of self employed will have no private pension savings at retirement if trends continue
A new study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a startling difference in pension saving patterns between the self employed and employees.
Top 10 business planning tips for start-ups + template downloads
Even if you’re cynical about the usefulness of business plans, writing one will force you to consider aspects of your business you might have overlooked.
Number of self-employed aged 60 and over in the UK hits a record 991,000
An interesting new study highlights the significant number of self-employed individuals who are over 60. According to the digital community Rest Less, the number of people over 60 who work for themselves reached a record of 991,432 last year. Data extracted from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that the proportion of the UK’s … Read more
Directors – be aware of new Companies House rules in 2024
Companies House is implementing sweeping reforms to clamp down on financial crime and improve corporate transparency. How are limited companies affected?
How to successfully manage your time via the OATS method
Do you have trouble getting done the things you need to? Do you sometimes find there are jobs left over at the end of the day? Do you not feel satisfied with what you have achieved? You need to get your OATS The OATS principle is a fundamental approach to time management that is both … Read more
20 tips to make your day more productive as a business owner
Here are Bytestart’s 20 productivity tips to help you accomplish more each day. Even if you manage just one or two changes, it could make a difference.